Add A Little of This To Your Cauliflower

Snack Girl is forever trying to sell you cauliflower. You can never have enough cauliflower in my opinion.

Cauliflower is one of those low calorie, nutrient filled foods that everyone tells you to eat. Do you eat it? I see a few hands up.

For those who avoid it, I think now is the time to try it again. I bought a large cauliflower for a whopping $2 so there isn’t much risk here. If you want to be healthy, you must find ways to enjoy vegetables.

My favorite way to cook cauliflower (which I included in my book is to roast it – see: oven roasted cauliflower). This recipe also uses the roasting technique but adds a new spice.

Smoked paprika is not hard to find. It is next to the other paprika in the spice section of your supermarket. This stuff is GREAT. How do they make it? They smoke and dry sweet peppers. I have seen McCormick brand in my Stop & Shop.

The cauliflower is a perfect vehicle for any flavoring agent because it is so bland. The smoked paprika/salt combo is so tasty that you can’t stop eating it and the best part is you don’t have to!

Place cauliflower in a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, paprika, and salt. Drizzle over cauliflower and toss with your hands to fully coat. Put cauliflower on the lined baking pan and roast for 15-20 minutes or until tender.

Toss on parsley (if desired) and serve immediately. Can be enjoyed hot, cold, or room temperature.

I only buy the frozen bags of cauliflower.After letting the bag of cauliflower thaw, would I par-boil it before roasting it?My biggest fear is that the roasted cauliflower would be too firm :-( We don't like firm/steamed vegetables.

Diannaon March 19, 2014

We love roasted cauliflower, usually make it with curry powder, but I will try it with smoked paprika (another favourite).

I found an awesome recipe for Twice Baked Cauliflower on Pinterest and have made it several times now. My non-vegetable-eating husband actually requests it! Y'all need to try it!! Dianna - I use frozen all the time and once it has been nuked in the microwave for a few minutes, I find it is the same consistency as having boiled it and then I use it in the recipe I mentioned. Frozen also seems to be a little cheaper than fresh and there is no waste. Hope this helps!

Laura Griggson March 19, 2014

I am a HUGE fan of smoked paprika! (the SMOKED part is extremely important!) I cannot wait to try it on roasted cauliflower. I add it to ground turkey and it really gives off a great flavor. Amazing spice find!

Tammyon March 19, 2014

I've been eating a fruit or veggie with every meal so that I get my 5 a day in. Thanks to this post, I'm now roasting cauliflower for breakfast :) I hope this is a proud moment for you, Snack Girl :) I can't wait for my pre-ordered copy of your book to come in April!

Shallinon March 19, 2014

@Shallin - bursting with pride! Hurray! If I can get one person to eat cauliflower today - I am proud - and it is only 10:30 AM.

I found a recipe for roasted cauliflower with balsamic and Parmesan it was good, I'm excited to try the smoked paprika!! Thanks for all the goodies!

Jennifer Tomasickon March 19, 2014

I have not been seeing an option to include new recipes in "Recipe Box". Any reason?

Lauraon March 19, 2014

Nutritional yeast, such as red star's, is great on Cauliflower :) It adds a cheesy taste for those lighter days

Emilyon March 19, 2014

I love the idea of roasting Cauliflower! I normally add it to boiled potatoes with spinach.

Patriciaon March 19, 2014

I love roasted cauliflower! When I'm in a mood where I just want to eat a large volume of food but aware enough that I don't want to do it on candy, I roast a whole head of cauliflower, then mix it with salsa and a little grated Parmesan. It's a huge amount of food, delicious, and healthy.

@Snack Girl, my roasted cauliflower breakfast was AWESOME! Thank you! I already know I'll love your book ;) I was hooked by the free preview and by all of your recipes that I have already tried and loved.

Shallinon March 19, 2014

I have been buying Smoked Paprika for years! Love it! I first learned about it from Rachael Ray. If you have a Gordon Food Service near you you can get a LARGE container of it for practically the same price as the small stuff at the regular grocery store and you have over 10 times the amount

Trader Joe's also has smoked paprika...I bought it originally because a Spanish friend of mine said she adds it to her homemade tapas dishes, with vegetables. It was cheaper at TJ's and it rocks big time! Try it in rice, too. Or Cauli-rice...

Deeon March 19, 2014

I can't wait to try this - smoked paprika is now on my list of must haves! I live cauliflower - you can chomp on lots of it guilt free. Sometimes I dip it in mustard - other times I roast it and coat with buffalo sauce. I once poured vodka sauce over it and it was wonderful.

Thehungrymaon March 19, 2014

Vodka Sauce? I'm so there! I used to eat pasta just so I could smother it in the Vodka Sauce...even though I don't think the sauce actually has vodka in it; cooking gets rid of the alcohol. LOL

Deeon March 19, 2014

Just added smoked paprika to my grocery list. I keep seeing more recipes using it but have never tried it. I love roasted cauliflower so can't wait to try this.